| Page Views: 6,183 Last Visit to Varenna: September, 2004 | Varenna - Diamond of the Lake by tpal - last update: Nov 11, 2004 |
It was our third day on Lake Como but it was our first ferry boat ride. Varenna is on the opposite side of the lake from where we were staying in Ossuccio. Taking the ferry was the simplest and most direct way to get there. More importantly, it was definitely the "best way" for us to arrive there for a first view. The ride from Lenno made several stops along the way including Villa Carlotta and Bellagio. Every stop was beautifully unique but Varenna...this was special.
Here the colorful homes were built right to water's edge. There was a steep rock face where nothing could be built and seemed to divide the village. Cleverly a promenade had been built cantilevered over the water. The walkway leads past shops and a few cafes with "you-never-have-to-leave-your-chair" photo opps. Boats were most often merely pulled up on shore and tied off.
Varenna is home to two very elaborate villas and gardens - Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero. Both are definitely worth a visit. But in my mind, the real allure was exploring the walks and back lanes of the tiny town. I read somewhere that, "If Bellagio is the pearl of Lake Como then Varenna is the diamond". This seemed surely true. |
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tpal's Varenna Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for tpal about Varenna | | | | |
Manara Sun Aug 2, 2009 00:40 UTC
Great description ov Vaarenna! By the way, the CNR is an important institution for all scientific research in Italy. | Sininen Sun Mar 2, 2008 15:25 UTC
Lovely little page on Varenna. My friend and I will be in Lago di Como next month and I feel attracted to Varenna, and even more after reading your tips. | Nemorino Tue Feb 21, 2006 21:39 UTC
Looks like a fantastic place for a boat ride. Does Villa Cipressi mean what it looks like? | mariev Mon Jun 6, 2005 18:19 UTC
Thanks for the beautiful photos of a place that is special for me : my gand-grand father came from Varenna (before going to Strasbourg as an expert in architecture) |
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